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A POEM. 



BY OSCAR F. WISNER 






GRAND RAPIDS: 

DAILY DEMOCRAT PRINTING ESTABLISHMENT. 
1868. 






Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1868, by 

Oscar F. "Wisner, 

in the Clerk's Office for the District Court of the United States, for 
the Western District of Michigan. 



HUBBARDSTON, MICH., 

March 27th, 7868. 

O. F. WISNER, Esq., 

Dear Sir:— The Literary and Scientific Association of 
Hubbardston, desirious of fostering literary merit, and wishing to treasure 
among its archives those peculiar efforts which mark its early history, 
respectfully ask you to secure the publication of the Poem on " THE 
GREAT REBELLION," which you read before it on the evening of the 
10th inst. 

Hoping you will ►find it convenient to gratify our request and thus 
enable us to preserve your labors among us, 
We are very truly, 

Your Obedient Servants, 

J. J. ROBBINS, President, 
ELMORE PALMER, Vice President, 
E. W. DODGE, Cor. Secretary, ' 
A. D. LUCE, Sec. and Treasure)*. 



Hubbardston, Mich., March 28th, 1868. 

Messrs. J. J. Robbins, Elmore Palmer, E. W. Dodge and A. D. Luce:— 

Gentlemen— Yours of the 27th, requesting a publication of my 
Poem on the Great Rebellion, read before the Literary and Scientific Associa- 
tion of Hubbardston, is- received. Experience teaches us that the literary 
productions of men are like their other labors, imperfect ; and that it is 
easier to pull down an edifice than to construct one. Its finely proportioned 
columns may be scorched and blackened by fire, and its chambers that once 
echoed the merry voices of festivity become silent forever. I. have carefully 
avoided every thing that shall have the appearance of a partizan character. 
and have spoken of men and scenes as I find them recorded in History. It 
is with great hesitancy that I consent to the publication of this Poem, 
knowing its many imperfections ; but as you have asked it, I am forced to 
believe that you at least deem it worthy of publication, and therefore I 
comply with your request. 

Yours very respectfully, 

OSCAR F. WISNER. 



jmt. Jltttftb Si. fiirtomrir, 



THIS POEM 



BY THE AUTHOR. 



HUBBARDSTON, MlOH., 1 
March, 1868. J 



HALLS OF PEACE. 



BOOK FIRST. 

" Freedoms banner torn, yet flying, streams 
Like a thunder cloud before the wind." 

I. 

He that hath stood beneath the lofty dome 

That overlooks Potomac's shining wave, 
May see upon the wall as once they shone 

In sunlight of the past the honored brave ; 
And o'er the chain of Hist'ry link by link 

Tread through the silent halls deserted now, 
And listen to the falling falchion's clink 

That smote to dust the chieftain's stormy brow. 

II. 

Come, white-robed Peace ! thine olive branch display 

And reign with us as once in brighter day. 

Keign ; from Atlantic's hollow-sounding shore 

To where Pacific's glitering billows roar. 

From the blue waves that wash our Southern strand 

To Lake Superior on our Northern land ; 

May ev'ry sister State hosannahs sing 

And each for each her peaceful olive bring. 



HALLS OF PEACE. 



in. 

Bend from thy throne of beauty in the skies 
And bid our bleeding Nation once more rise, 
And tread the paths of glory 'long with thee 
Chanting the songs of love and liberty, 
That once were heard at morn along the shore 
Of either Ocean, mingled with the roar 
Of waves, that broke in floods of silver hue 
From their unfathomed beds of matchless blue. 



IV. 

We saw thy temple once in grandeur rise 
Its bright dome reaching to the vaulted skies, 
"With pillars tall that bore the golden roof 
On Titan shoulders clad in mail of proof; 
Its gates of snowy white stood open wide 
And o'er its threshold poured a Nation's tide ; 
Whilst off'rings such as thou alone required 
Blazed upward on a hundred altars fired. 



HALLS OF PEACE. 



v. 

And joy within, above, and all aronnd 
Beamed like the light on Ohao's depths profound 
When He commanded : " Come forth and shine ! " 
Along the ever-silent shores of time 
To distant planet ; where no Sun had shone, 
But realms of darkness on their shadow throne 
Sat frowning o'er the dreary void that lay 
Like night upon the glorious orb of day. 



VI. 

'Twas then that commerce floated on the seas 
With white wing spread to catch the balmy breeze, 
Laden with treasures from the Eastern clime 
And yellow sands washed out from darkened mine ; 
With precious gems ; rich coronal for queen, 
Sparkling like drops of dew on meadow green, 
And cloths of velvet, shawls and richest lace, 
That deck in beauty, beautie's fairest race. 



10 BALLS OF PEACE. 



VII. 

Ships hailed each other on their wat'ry way 
And found an answer mayhaps, " from Cathay," 
" And homeward bound," rejoicing in that word 
That swells the human heart with one accord. 
" And tell us whither thou, and from what port ?" 
In friendly speech ; the 'costed ships retort, 
" From Boston we, and to Marsailles are bound "— 
Then hastes away o'er silent seas profound. 



VIII. 



Fair cities sprang to life when thou wast here ; 
Where roamed the panther and the tawny deer ; 
Forests whose giant sons had stood the gaze 
Of lightnings in their frantic midnight blaze, 
Were swept away by woodman's flashing stroke ; 
The tall majestic pine and hardier oak, 
Down to the JCarth have bowed their lofty head 
And sleep in quiet in their leafy bed. 



HALLS OF PEACE. 11 



IX. 

And on the spot where Indian warrior wooed 

His dusky mate in language known to love ; 

Now gilded spire points to the glowing skies' 

And bids the good in heart to God arise ; 

And where the prowling wolf's long midnight cry 

Broke on the stillness of the star-lit sky, 

The school boy's laugh rang out its merry peal 

As homeward he returned at evening meal. 



x. 

Then fadeless glories of our Nation shone 
Whose ships ploughed &v'ry sea in ev'ry zone ; 
Whose forests dark in dust were leveled low 
And o'er their tomb was heard the grating plow ; 
Precursor of the harvest's golden sheaf 
And rich reward of labor hard yet brief : 
Such in thy happy reign O ! Goddess, when ; 
Peace rose at morn and dwelt in love 'mong men. 



12 HALLS OF PEACE. 



XI. 

Arid more than these, lo ! yonder marble pile (1) 

Whose burnished top receives the sun's, first smile 
As from the gates of day his glit'ring car 
Leaps the blue wave that crested shines afar ; 
Cheering with light the wood and winding stream, 
And rousing up a Nation from its dream ; 
Darting his beams at dim and fleeing night 
Around the world 'mid flaming rays of light. 



XII. 

In sight of Vernon's ever honored grave (2) 

This temple stands, by old Potomac's wave, 
Whose waters sparkle in the sun's red ray 
As to the Ocean caves they take their way ; 
Whilst on its flood the silent bark is seen 
To spread its whitened canvass o'er the stream, 
Impelled by unseen hand o'er liquid plain 
Freighted with treasures of the distant main. 



HALLS OF PEACE. 13 



XIII. 

And in this palace hall what paintings shine ! (3) 

ISTo victor's spoil from subjugated clime, 

But on the wall in flashing light arrayed 

The glowing canvass spreads its breathing shade ; 

That tells of pioneer on dizzy height, 

Who gazes out upon the plains of light, 

With banners set with stars hung out on high 

From rocky battlements that pierce the sky ; 



XIV. 

Whilst streams of silver wind along the base 
Of mountain high and flash in laughing chase, 
And lakes of glass that sleep above the cloud 
And weave at night the phantom's misty shroud ; 
Whilst colors of the rainbow mix and blend 
In beauty as the Artist's thoughts extend ; 
Tet true to Nature in her varied form 
Whether in sunshine or the sweeping storm. 



14 ■ HALLS OF PEACE. 



xv. 

Behold ! where life-like painting hangs on high 
Demands a pause of stranger passing by, 
And asks of him a moment of his time ; 
One glance at least at Freedom's holy shrine, 
Reared in the dim. woods solitary wild 
Oppression's nursling ! Plymouth's first born child ! 
Brought up mid rocks on Ocean's stormy strand' 
Now giant vast ; an Ocean in each hand. 



XVI. 



Who that hath looked upon such glorious sight 
And seen this group stand out in Freedom's light 
On board the May-Flower, queen of boundless seat 
Like eagle gray that soars above the breeze, 
And felt not in his heart a generous thrill 
Of happiness, like sunshine on the hill, 
A base born wretch must be ! unfit to stand 
Where Freedom's temple decks our smiling land. 



HALLS OF PEACE. 



15 



XVIL 

Or who that saw them when on foreign coast 
They sadly stood ; of Europe's peerless boast, 
Whose skies forever shine, whose fields of grain 
Wave their gold locks from sea to distant main ; 
Where the proud lord in his baronial hall 
Held nightly wassail and giddy bachanal ; 
And felt not ; that on her thinly peopled deck 
Walked King's and Queen's 'mid Ocean's tossing wreck. 



XVIII. 

Unworthy should be called ; a hireling slave ! 
Whose sonl unused to 'sociate with the brave, 
Skims 'long the earth from whence it basely came 
Like marshy beam of phosphorescent flame ; 
And never soars up where the eagle flies 
Amid the burning blaze of cloudless skies ; 
But ever seeks the lowest, vilest place 
Where from the gaze of heroes hides his face. 



16 HALLS OF PEACE. 



XIX. 

Look we in pride around this costly hall, 

Where glows the canvass on the marble wall ; 

A picture of the past and one that tells 

How silent in the heart of woman dwells 

The flame of love ; brightest in morn of youth ; 

Like diamond in the dust, or godlike truth, 

That shines like star when daylight leaves the skies, 

And flashes 'raid ten thousand tinselled lies. 



XX. 

Lo ! the fair Indian — Pocahontas called — 

Falls at his side 'mid terrors unappalled 

And clasps him in her arms ; that doomed man ! 

"Who trod the paths of glory in the van ; 

And taught the native of Virginia's soil 

How God rewards the lab'rers honest toil, 

And how the unseen power that dwells 

Far from our searching glance in mystic cells, 



HALLS OF PEACE. 17 



XXI. 

Rules the vast world and worlds above our own, 
And realms of darkness on their sombre throne. 
How the bright sun fades into deepest night 
On flaming car and shorn of all his light ; 
And queen of starry fields and silent sky 
By hosts convoyed that keep her company, 
Is suddenly eclipsed and shadows spread 
Their sable curtain 'round the Indians' head. 



XXII. 
f 

Here superstition rears its granite rock 
And Smith is" placed upon the fatal block ; 
Above his head the war club swings around 
Laden with death and horrid fancies crowned ; 
When lo ! the Indian giri, her arms flung wide 
Springs to his neck and stays the purple tide : 
Suspended is the blow ; as gentle form 
Bends o'er the brave like bow beneath the storm. 



18 HALLS OF PEACE. 



XXIII. 

Love has prevailed ; the monarch's iron soul 
Feels the pure flames that through his bosom roll, 
And captive bound, and ready now to die, 
Rises erect and lifts to heaven his eye ; 
Whilst she ; his guardian angel sweetly smiles 
And dreams of Ocean's fairest wave- washed isles ; 
With him to live and be his welcome guest 
Where the rude winds forever sleep at rest. 



XXIV. 

Hope sits enthroned upon her youthful brow 
Mingled with love that hides 'mid blushes now ; 
Love : chaste as once in flow'ry Eden shone 
When God to Adam gave the blooming one ; 
Unspotted by the world and pure as light 
That rose at his command from eldest night, 
And brighter than the sparkling fountain, when, 
Bubbling it gushes up from forest glen. 



HALLS OF PEACE. 



19 



XXV. 

Another painting finds her kneeling where 
Flows water holy blending with prayer. 
Spirit of truth. ! Emblem of life divine ! 
That lives beyond the changing tide of time. 
This lovely being of the noble brave 
Bends in prayer ; of flesh and blood that save 
Meekly partakes ; she, Nature's forest queen, 
Rainbow of beauty dazling in its sheen ! 



XXVI. 

Look yonder now upon that fadeless scene, 
'Neath giant elm,; bedecked in brightest green, 
There we see Pen n and near him stalwart chief 
Of warrior tribe with language strange and brief. 
The calumet of peace each smokes in turn 
And then affection's fires begin to burn ; 
An open talk beneath the spreading tree • 
Is had ; with Perm ; truthful ; his ; wild and free. 



20 BALLS OF PEACE. 



XXVII. 

And peace is quickly made and kept by all ; 
No war whoop sounds, nor Indian's fearful call 
From bush to thicket where the woodlands lend 
A shelter to the red man's ambush'd friend ; 
And confidence here walks 'mid sylvan scene 
And halls that echo back the panther's scream : 
Throughout this trackless waste and forest deep 
Friendship and love their mountain fastness keep. 



XXVIII. 

Such was the picture of the faded past 
And true to life]; of beings that have fast 
Melted away ; under the white man's blows ; 
As melt beneath the sun April's light snows. 
But peace and Penn will live forever still 
Whispered by Pennsylvania's murm'ring rill, 
And Indian warrior as he threads the glen 
Hums in low strain the name of William Penn. 



NOTES TO BOOK FIRST. 



(1) "And more than these; lo! yonder marble pile." 
The Author here refers to the Capitol at Washington. 

(2) "In sight of Vernon's ever honored grave.'' 

From the dome of the Capitol the eye can easily take in the sacred 
mount, where sleeps the Father of his Country, it being only fifteen miles 
from Washington. 



(3) "And in this palace hall what paintings shine." 

In the rotunda of the Capitol are suspended from the wall beautiful and 
costly paintings; One representing the Landing of the Pilgrims from the 
May Flower ; another the treaty of Peace made by William Penn and the 
Indian tribes of this new world, under the wide spread branches of an elm ; 
whilst a third represents Captain John Smith ; his head placed upon a rock, 
Powhattan standing by. As the uplifted club swings above his head ready to 
decend, the young daughter of the Monarch, Pocahontas, is seen with arms 
thrown around the neck of the captive, and his life is spared. As you reach 
the head of the grand stairway leading to the Senate Chamber, you may see a 
magnificent painting, representing the march of Civilization Westward. On 
the point of a rock that juts out into the clear sky overlooking the Pacific, is 
seen a pioneer waving in the breeze the banner of our Fathers. 



BOOK SECOND. 



HALLS OF PEACE. 



BOOK SECOND. 

" Mislike me not for my complexion, 
The shadow'd livery of the burnished sun 
To whom I am a neighbor and near bred,'' 

I. 

But let us leave this consecrated hall 

Where shadows deep spread out funereal pall 

And bend our ear to slav'ry's bitter cry 

That swells in moans above a Southern sky. 

" Great God ! " how slowly pass the years along ; 

Is there no respite from the master's wrong? 

When will the bondman break his galling chain 

And fling it on the dust in proud disdain ? " 

Thus spoke the slave ; and on his bed of straw 
Tossed his dark form and curs'd the hated law ; 
For him, no ray of hope, no cheering sky ; 
But whips and chains and fearful agony. 
Bright are the fields beneath a Southern sun ; 
But brighter yet the land he calls his own ; 
Far to the East where golden sunlight streams 
From cloudless skies with fierce and burning beams. 



26 BALLS OF PEACE, 



in. 

Two hundred years and more have rolled away 
Since torn by av'rice frdm his sports at play ; 
And fetters on his limbs have rusted grown 
Far from shimmering stream he called his owo; 
Where his swift bark from dewy morn 'till night 
Swept 'long its liquid path with oar as light, 
As the tall reed that bends its fragile head 
To the soft wind that's from the sea breeze shed. 



IV. 

But who can paint the horrors that surround 
The slave like Ocean's -wat'ry depths profound % 
When labors of the burning day are o'er 
And he stretched out upon his cabin floor. 
Unquiet slumbers crowd upon his brain 
And darting pangs ; the tyrant's latest pain ; 
That quick as thought along electric wire 
Move o'er his nerves like livinar coals of fire. 



HALLS OF PEACE. 27 



v. 

Or who can tell the mental anguish deep, 
That o'er his spirit like a serpent creeps ; 
When torn away from all he holds most dear 
Not e'en allowed to shed a parting tear ; 
As the proud master with his scorpion lash, 
And eyes that like the tigers on him flash 
Drives him to toil, beneath a blazing sky 
Whose arches glow with lire when summers' nigh. 



VI. 

Who that hath felt the cheering rays of hope 
That gild witlrgold the shadow hills remote ; 
When the tired spirit sees the gates of day 
Open 'mid light that drives the night away ; 
That cannot feel how god-like is the hour 
That breaks in twain the tyrant's hated power ; 
When Freedom with her brow bedecked with flame 
Shouts to the star-lit halls her honored name ; 



28 HALLS OJF PEACE. 



VII. 

Or roamed in foreign lands 'neatli genial sky- 
Where hills and valleys fill'd his joyous eye ; 
That knows not all the bondsman's dreadful woes 
As to the field in terror's garb he goes ; 
Scourged by a master with relentless soul 
Who drives him on to horrors fearful goal ; 
From early morn until the shades of night 
With wing of darkness banishes the light. 



VIII. 

On thee, fair Science bends her gracious eye ; 
To thee, the coming years with rapture cry ; 
Their marble lips in mighty thunders speak 
That long time's corridors in echoes break. 
They bid thee rise and crown thy brow with fame 
And spurn in dust the mention of thy name ; 
The name of slave ! odious to thy God 
Who rules the proud with despot's iron rod. 



HALLS OF PEACE. 



IX. 

For thee, the halls of knowledge open wide]; 
And wisdom pours for thee exhaustless tide 
Of gems and pearls like those of starry night ; 
When constellations many flash with light. 
Shake from thy soul the horrors of the past 
And stand a peer claiming thy rights at last ; 
Though crushed ; not lost, thy spirit yet will rise 
And walk with Science God's celestial skies. 



x. 

Old Egypt through her seven-tongued Nile 
Bids all thy dark-browed children wake and smile ; 
Points to her fertile waves that flash in pride 
Neath blazing Sun that gilds her flowing tide ; 
Whispers of time when Science sat enshrined ; 
Along her marble walks with Art entwined ; 
Tells of past ages when on pinions white 
Fair Science soared away 'mid fading light. 



30 HALLS OF PEACE. 



XL 
i 
Circling are the years ! velvet-footed time 

Comes from the silent shores with tread sublime ; 

Bearing on dewy front a wreath of gold 

From his bright tent, whose doors of light unfold 

And give him egress ; he the present makes, 

And from his brow his crown the future takes ; 

Tims the child of sorrow ; to-day in tears 

To-morrow leaps with joy ; So are thy years, 



XII. 

Son of the darkened brow and downcast eye 
Whose hour of Freedom *s dawned on Southern sky ; 
And veil of sorrow breaks its dusky shroud 
That fades before the free like subtle cloud. 
A bannered host now tread the battle plain 
Where tyrants shake their naked blade in vain ; 
They welcome thee to all the rights of man 
And bid thee lead in Freedom's fight the van. 



HALLS OF PEACE. 31 



XIII. 

Thy cruel master, proud of his estate, 

Treads his high halls with more than kingly gait ; 

Or seated 'neath his patrimonial oak 

That oft has seen the lightning's withering stroke ; 

List'ning to syren voice of woman fair 

Like harp ./Eolean, touched by the breath of air ; 

Or Summer voices from the Southern breeze 

On wing of gos'mer whisp'ring 'mong the trees. 



XIV. 

Such are the men whose palaces arise 

High in heaven amid the brightest skies ; 

Whose halls of marble, silent and sublime, 

Are decked with paintings brought from ev'ry clime ; 

Whose wide domains are verdant neath the Sun 

In Southern lands to chilling frosts unknown ; 

A race of Barons ! like old England's, when, 

The Norman Standard waved o'er hill and glen. 



32 HALLS, OL PEACE. 



xv. 

Or those of Runnymead, where proud King- John 
The Royal Charter gave with half his crown ; 
Lords of Chivalry ! that from sunny South 
Threw down the gauntlet in the Lion's mouth ; 
And opened wide the Janus gates of war 
Fired their first gun, that thundered treason far 
O'er the blue wave, and Sumpter's rocky wall (1) 

Reeled to its base beneath the cannon ball. 



XVI. 

'Tis dawn of day, and on the April breeze 
That flutters incense from the sparkling seas, 
Our silken banners float o'er Sumpter high 
Like star-gem'd canopy of Winter's sky ; 
"When suddenly a sound that's borne away 
On wing of fate along the sleeping bay : 
Dread herald of the coming storm ! that now 
With shadows fearful clouds our Nation's brow. 



HALLS OF PEACE. 



33 



XVII. 

From Moultrie's Fort; Point Pleasant ; Johnston ; flash 

Secession guns in one continued crash ; 

And Cummings Point sends forth its storm of hail 

On Sumpter's walls that 'neath its thunders quail; 

Whilst Isle of Sullivan belches its hot. wrath 

Of iron globes that clear the Ocean's path. 

All day the pointed shot and howling shell 

On rocky walls in vengeful fury fell. 



XVIII. 

Night cometh on, and still the fi'ry tide 
Sweeps through the air in horrid circles wide ; 
A shroud of flame encompasseth her wall 
As her grim guns to those of Charleston call. 
O'er all her wooded works the wasting fire 
Licks with red tongue in hot and burning ire ; 
And still 'mid cannons' smoke and battle flame 
Gleam the bright stars of Liberty the same. 



34 RALLS OF PEACE. 



XIX. 

Here Anderson like lion stands encaged 

'Mid deadly missiles that round bis fortress raged. 

Environed by fire, he yet proudly sees 

His battle ensign float upon the breeze — 

Like martyr at the stake when the hot breath 

Of flames feeds on his limbs, and death 

Begins to wrap in mysterious web 

The dying form from which the soul has fled. 



XX. 

But walls give way and Sumpter opens wide 
Her battered gates to meet the Rebel tide. 
Sumpter has fallen ! Treason lifts his hand, 
All stained with blood, and shakes his smoking brand ; 
"Whilst quick as thought along the 'lectric wire 
The words are sent on lightning wing of fire ; 
From shores Atlantic to Pacific's coast 
Flash the dread cry of mad Secession's boast. 



HALLS OF PEACE. 35 



XXI, 

The little band of heroes, girt with fire, 
Now 'neath the flag of Freedom slow retire 
From out her crumbling walls as music free 
Floats in bold numbers o'er the silent sea ; 
Whilst o'er our Nation spreads a darkened pall, 
As the sad, news is heard of Sumpter's fall ; 
But through the gloom the light of battle glows 
From sea to sea, amid contending foes. 



XXII. 

From South Carolina swells the wild cry- 
That lifts the Cross and Bars 'neath Southern sky. 
She, the proud mistress of the sunny clime, 
Dips first her hand in Treason's hated crime. 
Calls on her sister States, that sleep at ease 
Along the golden shores of glassy seas, 
And bids them rise and crown their peerless brow 
With laurels fadeless, snatched from Tyrant now. 



36 HALLS OE PEACE. 



xxm. 

As when the felon lifts the flaming brand, 
Or sees with blood besmeared his guilty hand, 
Cowers 'neath the steady look of virtue's eye 
And deems himself pursued when none are nigh : 
Thus seems the traitor hedged about with thorns 
And girt with lightning ; herald of the storms ! 
Sleepless his nights, on Treason's gory bed 
As phantom shapes their pinions round him spread. 



XXIV. 

These are the names of those that fearless stood 
And battled for the wrong through seas of blood : 
The Carolina's — famed for valiant men 
Whose deeds were writ by Hist'ry's truthful pen ; 
When Albion, mistress of the wave, once tried 
To sweep our flag from Ocean's swelling tide, 
And sought to rule with iron hand the free 
When her gay pennons whitened ev'ry sea. 



BALLS OF PEACE. 37 



XXV. 

With sister Georgia, whose fertile land 
Lies 'neath the sunbeam on her sea-girt strand ; 
Near by where Florida with arms outspread 
To clasp with floral charms the Ocean's bed : 
She of the perfumed flower and fountain clear 
Grasps in her rage the shield and glit'ring spear 
Whilst Alabama shakes her golden hair 
And springs to battle from her wat'ry lair. 



XXVI. 

And Mississippi ; she who nobly stood 

And stayed the waves of slaughter like a flood ; 

When Davis, Treason's Chief, in Mexico 

At Buena Yista's fight checked the dread foe. 

She, too, the golden bowl of faith denied 

And drank no more of honor's crystal tide ; 

But from the cup that Treason madly gave 

Bathed her storm brow that freed the trembling slave. 



38 HALLS OF PEACE. 



XXVII. 

* 

And Louisiana ; washed by the flood 
That rolls in silver from the Northern wood ; 
With Texas young ; she of the lonely star 
That shone in battle red on flaming car 
When the proud sons of Mexico in wrath 
Besmeared with blood, the Texan hunter's path ; 
Spreads now her banners high as when the foe 
Heard her wild shout " Remember Alamo ! " 



XXVIII. 

And Tennessee ; Arkansas by her side, 
Leaps in the gulf of Treason's boiling tide ; 
W ith old Virginia ; birth-place of the great ! 
Fallen at last from her exalted state : 
Forgets that on her sacred soil once stood 
Her honored Washington ; the brave, the good, 
Who from oppression snatched the bleeding form 
Of Freedom girt with lightning and the storm. 



HALLS OF PEACE. 39 



XXIX. 

Proudly at first they form their serried line 

And march 'neath Cross and Bars to martial chime. 

Like the long shore-bound wave from Ocean's bed 

Thund'ring from far is heard their coming tread. 

Each erring Sister of the sun-clad South 

Hurls her black tempest from her cannons' mouth ; 

To each assigned the direful task to prove 

In battle fierce her faith, and hope, and love. 



XXX. 

As when the curtain of the future lifts 
And shows to ardent youth the purple cliff's 
That in their glowing beauty far-off lie 
In pillars tall against the golden sky. 
Land of bright dreams ! his boyish eye surveys 
As od these distant hills he turns his gaze ; 
Thus the~proud Southron in the future sees 
His Cross and Bars float ever on the breeze. 



40 HALLS OF PEACE. 



XXXI. 

Like floods concentric move our bannered line 
From North, South, East and West in ranks sublime. 
Old Massachusetts wakes as from a trance, 
And rays of lightning on her ensigns dance ; 
Honored her sons, descendants of proud sires 
Who won perpetual fame in Bunker's fires 
And Lexington, when Freedom snatched her brand 
And grappled with fierce England hand to hand. 



XXXII. 

Her gallant Sixth through streets of Baltimore 

Take their war path now red with human gore. 

Steady they march ; unyielding as the rock 

That stands the lightning's and the whirlwind's shock ; 

Whilst god-like from his monument on high 

Looks Washington, with cold and marble eye, (2) 

As the star banner nods along the line 

From Massachusetts ; as once in olden time. 



HALLS OF PEACE. 41 



XXXIII. • 

Never before ! never but once 'till now 
Shone such bright beauty on her fadeless brow 
As when the Sixth, in battle pomp arrayed, 
Shook in the streets of Baltimore its blade- 
Like Spartan hero at Thermopylae 
When the proud Persian thundered o'er the sea 
To Grecian shores — immortal stand the bold 
Free Sons of Massachusetts ; as of old. 



XXXIV. 

Pass we the fearful scenes that crimsoned stand 

Of Alexandria, where Ellsworth's band 

Marched through her ancient streets in vengeful wrath 

And spurned the traitor from their bloody path ; 

As onward to the sea they slowly bore 

Their ever-honored Chieftain now no more, 

Who fell a victim on his country's shrine 

The "first, great off 'ring to Secession's crime. 



42 HALLS OF PEACE. 



XXXV. 

And Bethel's fight, near where the Fortress stands (3) 
In glowing beauty on the Ocean's sands, 
And Boonsv ille's battle, where the Rebel foe 
Threw down their arms and fled like frightened roe ; 
And Phillippi, where Lander, Kelly, bold, 
Poured their loud thunders on the traitor's hold, 
'Till mad Secession, fearful of defeat, 
Turned in alarm and beat a quick retreat. 



XXXVI. 

As when the wat'ry particles that form 

The ebon cloud descend in blackened storm 

In midst of Summer, heralded by light 

That shakes its blazing mane at dead of night : 

Thus formed two armies vast of North, of South, 

And brazen cannon ope their sulph'rous mouth ; 

Met in fierce conflict 'mid the battle's van 

When the brave Northman from the Southron ran. 



HALLS OF PEACE. 43 



XXXVII. 

Moonbeams of silver flood the balmy night, 
Tipping with shimmering rays ensigns of light, 
And nodding plumes flash in the mellow beam 
That falls in peace, on hill and winding stream ; 
Whilst the long cavalcade with trampling feet 
'Mid silence deep their solemn march they beat, 
And dreaded ambulance lumbering by 
(Jive warning voice that battle hour is nigh. 



XXXVIII. 

'Tis Sabbath mornl and now from. Parrott gun (4) 

A shot announced the battle of Bull Bun* 

Along this sluggish flood the Rebel foe 

Spread their gay banners in the morning's glow ; 

Hills rise on 1 hills behind this famous stream, 

Whilst on its banks is seen the forest green-; 

Eight miles'ln length the scaly serpent lies 

Its burnished folds reflecting rainbow dyes. 



44 HALLS OF PEACE. 



XXIX. 

When, hark ! along this stream the thunder roar 
Of cannon shakes the silence of its shore. 
Here Hunter, Heintzleman, their iron tide 
Hurl on the foe in fearful horror wide ; 
Whilst gallant Sprague and Burnside on the foe 
Sweep like the waves of Ocean in its flow ; 
With Porter brave who in the dread advance 
Spreads high the Stars that in the sunbeams glance. 



XL. 

And now the Eegiment, Sixteen hundred strong, 
Of Ireland's sons like lightning flash along, 
By Corcoran led, from Tyler's gallant band, 
That shake in face of foe their bay'nett brand ; 
Followed by Thirteenth of New York, that fell 
On Rebel hordes with thunder tramp and mad'ning yell: 
Their voices mingled with the Highland braves 
And dread Wisconsin's shouts like rushing waves. 



HALLS OF PEACE. 



45 



XLI. 

From the hot skies the pulsing ether shines 
'Mid fiercest fires upon the battling lines. 
And now the strife in all its horror spreads, 
That strews the plain with hundreds of the dead. 
Bright Minesota's sons are seen in fight, 
In double-quick they move 'mid battle light ; 
Whilst from the gory field the Fire Zouaves 
In terror fly like fast receding waves. 



XLII. 

But Rickeft's, Griffin's batry's echo loud 
And spread o'er purple field a bloody shroud ; 
And little Rhoda sends her storm of ball 
On Rebel hosts that 'neath her thunders' fall. 
Here Sherman, Keys, led on their gallant band 
In fiercest fight, with terror swept the land ; 
And now as Summer's Sun 'gins to decline 
The Cross and Bars fade 'long their shattered line. 



4-fi RALLS OF PEACE, 



XLIII. 

When lo ! a cloud of dust is seen to rise 
And nearer come along the heated skies ; 
Whilst Beauregard rejoicing at the sight 
That lifts the veil of darkness thick as night ; 
Turns the wild tide of battle in his wrath 
And sweeps the Union forces from his path ; 
When Johnston's banners flout the burning sky 
And war's loud tempests break in thunders nigh. 



XLIV. 

From this dread field the cannon's deaf'ning roar 
Wakes answering echoes long Potomac's shore : 
As when at Waterloo the Prussian tide 
Spread its gay flag on Albion's weakened side ; 
Thus Johnston's banners flash along his line, 
Nodding their silken folds to martial chime ; 
Whilst grim McDowell sees his army lost 
And trampled 'neath the feet of Rebel host. 



RALLS OF PEACE. 47 



XLV. 

Loud crash the cannon ; thund'ring are the feet 

Of horse that press the footsteps of retreat ; 

The flashing blade, the dust, and heat, and smoke, 

In frightful terror on our columns broke, 

One cry alone is heard above the rest 

As golden Sun sinks in the purple West — 

That cry rolled o'er the distant hills away, 

" Our Capital's lost 'mid blo©d and battle spray." 



XLVI, . 

Not lost, as yet ! for gallant Blenker stands 
And checks at.Centerville the flying bands; 
And now from all the skies the drenching rain 
Pours its fierce flood upon th' ensanguin'd plain ; 
And night, with wide-spread pinions flut'ring down, 
Stays the pursuit with black and angry frown, 
As now from all the field of horrors rise 
The groan and shriek up to the wat'ry skies. 



48 HALLS OF PEACE. 



XLYII. 

Such wag the battle of Bull Kun, that now 
Spreads a dark cloud upon our Nation's brow, 
And o'er electric wire on wing of light 
Sped the sad news of that inglorious fight. 
A burst of thunder — startling in its crash — 
And lightning flames that in mid Winter flash, 
Thus fell on Nation's ear the direful sound 
Of coming woes and tempests gathering round. 



XLVIII. 

Dreadful this battle field ! as hundreds lie 
In sleep of death beneath onr Nation's eye. 
Who that can tell what nameless horrors sprung 
From that red field where banners strange were flung ? 
When the broad Stripes and ever flowing Stars 
Were flaunted dowD by Southern Gross and Bars, 
And torn by minie ball and shrieking shell 
'Till paled their light in shades that round them fell. 



BALLS OF PEACE. 49 



XLIX. 

They little thought how Alpine torrents swell 
To mighty floods that fill the sunken dell, 
And leap o'er Time's grey rocks in eddying tide 
Spreading in whitened foam on ev'ry side ; 
Or how the Avalanche, with fearful sweep, 
Tramples the halmet 'neath its frozen feet, 
As from the snowy top of mountain high 
It glides in wrath and terror from the sky. 



L. 

These were Seceded States, that peerless shone 
Like jewel bright in Orion's flashing zone — 
Stars that had dazzled Europe's gazing eyes, 
As on them looked with wonder and surprise. 
Fadeless they seemed ; like seraph winged with light 
And rivalled in their pride a Monarch's might ; 
Yain of their wealth, that poured its plenteous spoil, 
As floods expressed from bondsman's weary toil. 



50 HALLS OF PEACE, 



LI. 

Like Lucifer were doomed to rise and fall — 
Thrown to" the -dust from high celestial wall ; 
Down where their fetters clank a thousand years 
'Oerwhelmed with guilt and blood and scalding tears. 
A just reward for all their mighty crime ! 
That darker grows as strikes the clock of time, 
Echoing through coming years a warning cry 
us ans'ring thunders speak long mountains high. 



Ml. 

They heeded not the Negroe's quiv'ring form 
That writhed in agony 'neath the pelting storm- 
Like bird that flutters 'mid the batling blast 
When the clear sky by tempest is o'ercast ; 
For Cotton is their King ! with golden crown 
And to his mandate Chivalry bows down 
And licks the dust, then stretching upward high 
Darts the red lightning from his flr'y eye 



RALLS OF PEACE. 51 



LIII. 

Who that hath read of fairest States of Greece- 
The land of glory in her days of peace: — 
When Art built up her costly marble piles 
And Roman heroes sought her hundred isles, 
To gather wisdom that from Egypt came 
In robes of splendor, like the burning flame 
That flashed before the eyes of Moses ; when 
God ismote Pharaoh for his Hebrew brethren. 



And feared not that some dreadful hidden fate 

Might not our Nation's glory equal wait ; 

Like that which overwhelmed the happy Greek 

That hist'ry paints in colors all too weak ; 

When torn by civil strife the Grecian power 

Fell at Macedonian's feet in evil hour— 

As on the plains of Ohaeronea, waved (5) 

His banners o'er the valiant heroe's grave. 



52 HALLS OF PEACE. 



LV. 

Europe stands gazing from her regal tower 
And leaps her heart at waning of our power. 
She prays in secret on her bed of down 
That out of ours may rise a monarch's crown ; 
That governments Republic may not stand 
The shock of battles, and that sceptered hand 
Alone may guide the tossing ship of state 
O'er the rough billows raised by civil hate. 



LVI. 

And now the fearful strife begins to grow 
Whilst mortal hatred animates our foe. 
Remembrance of the past, glory yet to come 
Like that which crowned the brow of Washington. 
Armies are mustered at the dead of night 
Along the hills and valleys in their might, 
And clarion notes echo from distance far 
Mingled with fife and drum ; wars messenger ! 



HALLS OF PEACK ....... 53 



LVII. 

The dormant power that in our Nation slept 
Awoke to life and through* its members crept — 
The snowy hills of Maine and icy stream, 
Felt the warm glow like Summers' noontide beam. 
; ;From ev'ry hamlet and from palace hall ' *■ 
j ^Marches the soldier boy at Freedom's call ; 
. Like swarm of -bees, when some rude urchin's hand 
- Jar's the sweet treasures of their num'rous band. 



LVIII. 

j | ' ."'■'/ ..... 

j This mighty vict'ry leads them to suppose 
\ [That Northern freeuten are unworthy foes, 
| And puffs them up with. vanity and pride 
j jA.s Autumn rains, that swell the river's tide ; 
But soon with r blade and cannon's thund'ring roar 
The Northman comes " three hundred thousand more " 
' MTith banners, flashing 'neath the silen t sky 
And he prepared to conquer, or to die. 



54 BALLS OF PEACE. 



The North unconcious of the wicked wiles 
That Chivalry had covered up with smiles, 
Felt safe ; until the horrid din of arms ; 
That fearful harbinger of dire alarms. 
Her Arsenals were taken, Cities given up, 
Whilst midnight treason filled the drunken cup 
And pledged to States Confederate now 
With all the pride of conquest on their brow. 



LX. 

Like lion slnmb'ring in his jungle low 
Unthinking of the cur or .savage foe, 
Until his ear is startled by the treacj 
Of hunter near the forest monarch's bed ; 
He rouses up and shakes his dewy mane 
And glares upon the foe with proud disdain, 
Then growls terrific, and with sudden bound 
Tears to the earth the tall and stately hound. 



HALLS OF PEACE. . 55 



LXI. 

The aged Scott, bow'd by the weight of years 
Resigns his place in 'midst of all our fears ; , . . 
But leaves his mantle that through many a fight 
Alarmed the Britton with its beams of light, 
And in his place George B. McClellan stands 
The honored Chief and takes supreme command- 
Brings order out of Chaos ; calmy sees 
Our Starry flag float gaily on the breeze. 



IiXII. 

He who won bright laurels on the " 6 Sacred soil," 

And saw the serpent Treason's folds uncoil 

In West Virginia ; where the Cross and Bars 

Paled in the light that flashed from Stripes and Stars. 

This the young hero ! who once thoughtful gazed 

Where wars red lightnings in Crimea blazed 

On steel stormed battlements ; that crumbling bowed 

Beneath the dread Artil'rys flaming shroud. 



BALLS OF PEACE. 56 



LXIII. 

As when Napoleon from the Eastern clime 
Saw his white eagle's in the 'sunbeams shine, 
And heard a Nation's welcome upward rise 
I Like breaking thunders 'long the vaulted skies : 
I Thus George McClellan on an Autumn day 
j Heard the long shouts that floated tar away, 
I lO'er Old Virginia'^ Sun4it hills ;■ that threw 
I O'er distant vales their ever matchless hue. 



M LXIV. 

I jA grand review where Bailey's cross roads lie 
; iFills with bright dreams the Chieftain's flashing eye— 
A hundred thousand warriors gaze in pride 
I On one who boldly faced the battle's tide; 
j As 'long their glit'ring ranks in pomp arrajed ,^ 
j Gleamed in the sun-light brave McOlellan's blade ; 
That flashed in vict'rys van in after time, - ' 

Leading to honored graves his gallant line. 



BALLS OF PEACE. 57 



LXV. 

Like panoramic view that strikes our eye 

Then fades as gold cloud from the Summer sky ; 

Thus this bright host, until their heavy tread 

Wakens the echoes 'long the Jame's bed ; 

And Yorktown, Antietam, Hanover, stand 

With Fair Oaks, blood spots on his burnished brand ; 

Whilst myriad voices roll along the sky 

As the proud Chieftain's banners rustle by. 



LXTi. 

'Mid ghastly sights that fill the battle plain 
Dreams of ambition flit across his brain, 
As golden minarets in the sunbeams shine 
Of Richmond gay in this the Southern clime — 
But soon a shadow like the wing of night 
Falls on his battle path of shim'ring light ; 
Sinks his warm heart as on the whisp'ring breeze 
No longer now his ensigns bright he sees. 



58 BALLS OF PEACE, 



LXVII. 

The seven days fight in front of Richmond's gate 
Closed his career as by decree of fate, 
And now the fallen Chieftain sees his star 
Fade in the light of battle's flaming car. 
Like the proud Corsican when allied power 
Swept o'er the fields of France in evil hour \\ 
Turned with a sick'ning heart and pallid brow 
To those false friends that all forsake him now. 



LXVIII. £ 

We leave him where the Historian's pen 
In light of truth reveals the deeds of men : 
Few were his faults, and for his country tried 
To stem the billows dark of Rebel tide ; 
Whil'st unseen hand threw 'round his noble form 
The fatal chain that bowed him 'nea$a the storm- 
Ambition finds its goal on light'ning feet 
'Mid battle flames and thunders of defeat. 



HALLS OF PEACE. 59 



LXIX. 

" Time rolls his ceaseless course ! " the year has fled 
And mem'ry whispers of the fallen dead, 
Who on the Altar of their country died 
And shed for Freedom's cause the hearts warm tide. 
For them remembrance drops a silent tear 
On the fresh grave that marks the closing year, 
And plants for them the Amaranthine flower 
That blooms eternal in celestial bower. 



LXX. 

Flash through the opal gates the frosted steeds 
On their fleet course across the creaking meads ; 
When lo ! the new year on its glit'ring car 
Of polished ice that thunders from afar. 
Countless the purple drops ; countless the tears 
That fill the cup of wo in coming years ; 
Countless the broken hearts, that oft have been 
Reposing pillows for these myriad martyred men- 



60 HALLS OF PEACE. 



LXXI. 

Morn dawns upon the sea ! and o'er the wave (6) 

Floats the Star Banner cherished by the brave. 
A thousand anxious hearts now beat once more 
As mail-clad Monitor creeps along the shore, 
Now dipping 'neath the flood its upper deck * 
And now scarce seen, an almost stranded wreck, 
Yet fearless onward moves, toward the grim form 
Whose iron sides withstood a Nation's storm. 



LXXII. 

On land the Fortress, like a star of night 
Sits on her rocky throne begirt with light ; 
Clear 'bove the wave the glit'ring shafts of day 
Flash their bright fires that gild with gold the spray ; 
Whilst on the sea in distance scathed an^l rent 
Hovers the Fed'ral Fleet ; whose cannon sent 
Their deadly missiles, ball, and shot, and shell, 
That on the monster's armor harmless fell. 



HALLS OF PEACE. 



61 



LXXIIL 

And now from turretts side a wreath of smoke 
Winds its light folds ; the Monitor has spoke ! 
O'er the blue wave the solid shot has sped. 
Strikes the strange foe and sinks in Ocean's bed. 
Then from the Merimack the thunders burst 
Harmless as those of Monitor at first ; 
Bound from their iron sides the pointed shot 
And plunge 'mid Ocean's foam all hissing hot. 



LXXIV. 

Nearer they come ! like sulph'rous clouds on high 
Laden with lightnings of the darkened sky. 
Gun answers gun, and fierce projectiles glide 
From dusky walls and fall in Ocean's tide, 
"Whilst from the Fed'ral Fleet the welcome sound 
Of cannon rolls o'er the silent depth's profound, 
'Mid smoke, and flame, and battle's phantom form, 
Streams our old Flag ; proud mistress of the storm !- 



62 HALLS OF PEACE. 



LXXV. 

As once of old when fearless Jones espied 

The British Lion sleeping on the tide ; 

Man'd his war deck with true and Yankee tars 

And saw the Lion crouch 'neath Stripes and Stars. 

Forever live the noble and the brave ! 

Paul Jones who spread his banners o'er the wave, 

And drove the mistress of the mighty seas 

To recognise our flag in ev'r y breeze. — 



LXXVI. 

Maddened by loss of strength the monster now 
Turns on the Monitor her iron prow. 
Like huge Leviathan when the dread spear 
Has fixed a ghastly wound and death is near ; 
Each beam and solid oaken timber feel 
The jar and all her compact members reel, 
Down sinks the Monitor, then up again 
And sends her thunders o'er the tossing main. 



HALLS OF PEACE. 63 



LXXVII. 

Crippled at last by well directed fire 

The Merimack in rage seeks to retire. 

Her massive walls are pierced and mailed sides 

Receive in murmurs hoarse the gushing tides ; 

And Worden of the Monitor now hears 

A Nation's "well done" whispered in his ears, 

As 'neath his blood besprinkled deck he lies 

Like Ajax 'mong the Greeks, deprived of eyes. 



LXXVIII. 

Rejoicing thunders from the Fortress rise 
And answering echoes greet the golden skies ; - 
Whilst from the Fed'ral fleet that's saved 
The Banner of our Fathers proudly waved. 
No fight like this by Hist'ry's diamond pen 
"Was ever writ, nor deeds of warlike men, . 
Stand on the burning scroll of fame, like those 
Who fought this battle 'gainst our Nation's foes — 



64 HALLS OF PEACE. 



LXXIX. 

Lo ! Pittsburg Landing awful and sublime (7) 

In mem'ry lives and will through coming time ; 
Long as the Tennessee's bright waters run, 
In music sweet beneath the glowing Sun ; 
The battle field of Shiloh still the same, 
Save the loud notes from cannon's wasting flame 
And charging squadrons and the bayonetts gleam, 
That flashed its sloping terrors 'long this stream. 



LXXX. 

Light breaks upon the Tennessee ; when lo ! 
Upon our sleeping warriors rushed the foe, 
Full seventy thousand strong ; an Ocean wave 
Dashing in rage on our unconscious brave, — 
With shout and cry and pandemonium yell 
The Rebel hordes in dreadful fury fell 
In glit'ring lines, that shone amid the light 
Of morning's dawn terrific in the fight. 



BALLS OF PEACE. . 65 



LXXXI. 

The lightning. flash of cannon and the gleam 
Of burnished bay'nett lit this silver stream. . 
Right on they come ! o'er Buckland's dread Brigade 
Like pack of hungry wolves their onset made; 
Onward they press ! sweeping from their blood path 
The Fed'ral thousands in their stormy wrath ; 
In vain the gallant Sherman fearless tried 
To stay the flowing waves of Rebel tide. 



LXXXII. 

McClernand fills the gap by Buckland made 
When the fierce Southron broke on his Brigade. 
And now o'er all the field a mighty cry 
From Rebel foe rolled 'long the Sabbath sky ; 
A shout of vict'ry mingled with the note 
That booms in terror from the cannon's throat, 
Swells 'bove the battle field, and Freedom sees 
Her banners fade upon the sulph'rous breeze. 



66 BALLS OF PEACE. 



LXXXIII. 

And now the Tennessee in beauty shines 

Close io the rear of these onr falling lines ; 

When Dresser's bat'ry opes its thunder call 

Of iron globes that on the Traitors fall. 

'Tis twelve o'clock ! and now the Rebels hold 

The camps of Sherman, McClernand, Prentiss bold ; 

O'er the whole field, Treason's fearless band 

Spread in wild fury ; flashing blade in hand : 



lxxxtv. 

Storm on our bannered left ; on steel clad right 
When Johnston falls o'erwhelmed in endless night ; 
Still on they come ! resistless as the waves 
That crested move from Ocean's marble caves ; 
When Webster with his crescent formed of fire, 
Pours on their ranks that soon in rage retire 
Back o'er the fiield ; when night, and stars, and sleep, 
Hold strange communion, the Fed'ral Fleet, 



HALLS OF PEACE 67 



LXXXV. 

Meantime thunders its shot and howling shell 
That on the Eebel host in wasting fury fell. 
JSTight cometh on ! and the bright lamps above 
That flashed in beauty on argent fields of love 
Have faded out, and o'er the silent sky 
The pinions black of tempest flutter by ; 
And now from gun-boat ; from the murky air 
The winged lightnings shake their flaming hair. 



LXXXVI. 

No peace, no rest, the Rebel columns know ; 

For on them fall the thunders of the foe 

Through the long hours, 'mid groan and dying shriek 

That from the lips of pallor frightful break. 

Day dawns once more on hill and stream, when lo ! 

Embattled squadrons flash in morning's glow, 

And all along the rushing Tennessee 

In beauty shines the Star Flag of the free. 



68 HALLS OF PEACE. 



LXXXVII. 

Buell has come ! and now in burning rage 
His shouting lines the Rebel host engage ; 
And red Artil'ry storms upon the foe 
Till the whole field is purpled o'er with woe. 
"Whilst Sherman moves along his iron ranks 
'Mid shot and shell that thin his bleeding flanks ; 
The spirit of the storm ! in terror dressed 
As on the foe 'mid battle flames he press'd. 



LXXXVIII. 

And now the charging horse three thousand strong 
On flying feet in splendor sweep along ; 
Onward they dash, and backward fall the foe 
Like ebbing waves confused of Ocean's flow. 
Shiloh is won ! and Treason hides his head 
'Neath folds of night whose pinions round him spread- 
Bright flashed the waters of the Tennessee ! 
And bright the Stars that led to victory. 



HALLS OF PEACE. 69 



LXXXIX. 

Like Roman hero when barbaric bands (8) 

Swarmed o'er his classic fields like Ocean's sands ; 
At Thrasymenus and at Cannae strove 
'Gainst Hannibal his far famed strength to prove ; 
And thought as vict'ry Afric's standards crowned 
And slaughtered thousands pressed the bloody ground ; 
To spread his banners o'er old Carthage proud 
Where golden sunbeams melt the fleecy cloud. 



xc. 

Thus Lee o'er Pennsylvania's honored soil 
Casts his fierce eye and sees the tempting spoil ; 
Unfurls his banners gay and forms his line 
Of valiant men and takes his march sublime. 
O'er rivers broad and clcud-capt mountains high 
His trampling host is seen ; the patriot's eye, 
Meantime follows his steps, until at length 
He halts near Gettysburgh his Rebel strength. 



70 HALLS OF PEACE. 



xci. 

Between South Mountain and Catoctin high 
Sleeps a rich vale where smiling beauties lie ; 
At head of this on gentle Western slope 
Of hill stands G-ettysburgh ; not far remote 
In murmurs sweet, a silver flowing stream 
Glides toward Monocacy 'twixt banks of green. 
.Four roads diverge to East, North, South and "West, 
From this bright ville that gems the valley's crest. 



XCII. 

Near by ; the Cemetery Hill where sleep 
The dead of G-ettysburgh in silence deep. 
North-west of this a wooded skirted crest 
Stands sloping South in Summer verdure drest ; 
Whilst South of Gettysburgh a mile or more 
Two hills are seen ; our place for Signal Corps. 
On Seminary Ridge the Rebels form 
In serried ranks famed Gettysburgh^to storm. 



HALLS OF PEACE. 74 



XCIII. 

From Cemetery Hill the Stripes and Stars 
Send proud defiance to the Cross and Bars. 
Here Steinwehr's, Howard's ever trusty band 
Stand on this wooded hight with blade in hand ; 
Whilst Wadsworth, New York's gallant chief, 
On Howard's right stands out in bold relief ; 
Thus formed, on July first the rolling flood 
Of battle swept o'er garments died in blood. 



XCIV. 

Morn dawns upon the hills ! and Buford sees 
Our Nation's banner flutter on the breeze. 
Ten thousand horse ! ten thousand sabres ring, 
As on through Gettysburg like tigers spring ; 
O'er stony streets their clat'ring footsteps* sound 
As on they sweep ; whilst from the woods around 
A sudden flash of light spreads far and wide 
Like lightning's wing when warring tempests ride. 



72 HALLS OF PEACE. 



xcv. 

From all the sleepy hills the Rebels swarm 
In fiercest rage to meet the coming storm, 
And from the bights the direful missiles fall ; 
The shrieking shell and whizzing minie ball ; 
When lo ! the dread Brigade called Iron, flashed 
In armor bright as on the foe they dashed ; 
A.nd when they met ; a bloody slaughter spread 
The verdant plain ; like Autumn leaves, with dead. 



XCYI. 

All day they fought, mid storms of hurtling lead 

Stood the Brigade : at last it broke and fled ; 

Back through blood-washed Gettysburgh ; when night 

Spread its dark wing and put an end to fight. 

Torn and all shattered stood the old Brigade 

On Cemetery Hill ; death had reckless made 

His furrows through its iron ranks; and now 

It read its roll of lost, with pallid brow. 



BALLS OF PEACE. Y3 



X€VII. 

Through the long hours the Foe's exultant cry 
Swelled on the warm breeze; mad'ning to the sky. 
But timely aid came in the dead of night 
And morning dawned upon a glorious sight. 
The Corps of Slocum and of Sickles proud 
Shone in steel armor like a sun-lit cloud ; 
As the bright day beams' touched the wing of night 
And chased the shadows dim with spears of light. 



XCVIII. 

Like crested wave that shines on Ocean's tide 
Full on our left brave Longstreet moves in pride. 
His Cross and Bars float gaily on the breeze 
As whitened sail that flutters on the seas. 
His coming is announced by cannon's breath 
That pours its storm of iron winged with death ; 
Onward they come ! when suddenly a flash 
Of light, and then the dread Artil'rys crash 



74 HALLS OF PEACE. 



XCIX. 

Like leaping thunders 'long the mountains base 
Led on by lightnings in their fi'ry chase 
From hundred guns ; that frown upon the hight 
Of Round Top Hill ; grim champions of the fight. 
The Rebels meet at foot of hill the gallant band 
Of Barnes that like a rock 'mid Ocean stand. 
Here fought with bloody brow the sons of Maine ; 
And here on History's page stand out the name 



Of Pennsylvania's sons, and New York's brave, 
With those of Michigan ; no coward slave 
Is found ; whilst Treason with his gory hand 
Shakes 'neath the folds of Freedom's flag his brand. 
Onward they press ! thundering is the roar 
Of gun, and red the field with human gore. 
Shrieks fill the air, and cries of anguish rise 
On breeze of Summer fearful to the skies. 



HALLS OF PEACE 75 



ci. 

Death rides in terror on his pallid steed 
For lo ! the Fourth and Fifth Brigades by Mead 
Now ordered up .; to clear the Round Top hight 
That stands in 'midst of horrors dark as night. 
And now the sons of Pennsylvania wheel 
In line, with stony heart and hand of steel, 
Headed by Crawford, whose peerless soul 
Sees the red storm of battle round him roll. 



Gil. 

O'er heaps of dead they press their steady way 
Up the steep hill, when like the billowy play 
Of waves ; they leap on points of steel of foe 
And send the shouts of victory far below. 
Down the steep hill of Round Top, bleeding, fly 
The Rebel hordes ; whilst Pennsylvania's cry 
Thunders upon their rear. Round Top is ours! 
Blushing in blood and bathed in battle showers. 



76 HALLS OF PEACE. 



cm. 

Low in the sky the mythic ear of gold 
On burnished wheels in matchless splendor rolled- 
As Ewell stormed upon our waiting right 
Where noble Howard stands with brow of light. 
Dreadful they fought, until the god of day 
Halted his steeds behind the drifts that lay 
Close on the Western sky ; whence sunbeams fled 
And left the field to darkness and the dead. 



CIV. 

Morn dawns again ! and thundering once more 
The red Artil'ry flashes as before. 
The heights are ours ! and now a storm of hail 
Pours its dread missiles on their iron mail. 
When lo ! the gallant Sickles, wounded now, 
Through op'ning ranks is borne ; whilst on his brow 
Sits stoic pride, a gift the gods once gave 
To palliate the pangs that seize the brave. 



HALLS 01 PEACE. 77 



cv. 

The Rebel Lee at distance madly sees 

Our standards bright float on the morning breeze ; 

When suddenly a storm unknown before 

Like waves of Ocean breaking 'gainst the shore, 

Beat on our steel-girt left ; where Hancock stood 

A target for the foe 'mid flame and blood. 

'Tis Lee's last effort ! Freedom lifts her hand 

And shouts to all her children " firmly stand !" 



CVI 

Horror's impersonation stalks sublime 

In the last charge of this his shattered line. 

'Mid shot, and shell, and bat'tle's stifling smoke, 

The Rebel host in iron columns broke 

Full on our bannered ranks, that like a rock 

Received the pointed steel of bay'net sho'ck ; 

As 'long our lines in flashing circles spread 

A wreath of fire : the flame shroud of the dead ! 



78 HALLS OF PEACE. 



cvn. 

The Germans of the 'Leventh fall to the ground 

And wait the charge that shakes the earth around. 

From Seminary Hill a rolling tide 

Floods like the wave o'er all the valley wide, 

And as they near, quick springing to his feet, 

The blue-eyed Northman pours his deadly sleet 

Of ball and shell ; until the very sky 

Seems vocal, with the groans of those that die. 



CVIII. 

Night settles down, and shadows softly spread 
Their funeral pall above the fallen dead # 
Of Get.tysburgh ; the foe meantime retreat 
Back to their hills, from this their sad defeat — 
Morn dawns once more, and o'er the silver arch 
Flashes the sunbeam on its sportive march. 
Contrast how great, to scenes of earth below 
Where mortal meets in strife, his hated foe. 



RALLS OL PL ACL. 79 



cix. 

Thrice hallowed Gettysburgh ! that quiet lies 
'ISFeath Pennsylvania's clear and shining skies. 
On History's page thy name will ever stand 
Like Marathon of old in Grecian land — 
Here Freedom fought the oppressor, and here 
All honored rest the brave. Each coming year 
Adds laurels fresh to deck this sacred spot 
Where fell in battle's van the unforgot. 



ex. 

Years glide along, and Treason gains apace 

And Foreign Powers respect the guilty race. 

All things seem doubtful to the Union cause 

When Mississippi echoes loud applause. 

" Vicksburg has fallen !" thunders to the sea ; 

The strongest hold of Southern Chivalry, 

And " Grant the Victor " shouts a Nation's voice 

As the brave sons of Freedom now rejoice. 



80 HALLS OF PEACE. 



CXI. 

Virginia's sacred soil's, the battle ground 
And roll of musket shakes her wilds profound. 
The wilderness ; with verdure overspread 
Opens its bosom to receive the dead. 
Here Sedgwick leaves behind an honored name 
And "Wadsworth lives upon the scroll of fame ; 
Renowned heroes ! that through coming time 
Will godlike stand on Freedom's mount sublime. 



CXII. 

And Grant the hero moves in stoic pride 
Along the ranks amid the fir'y tide ; 
Wheels his vast columns as at game of chess 
And drives the foe throughout the Wilderness. 
Line after line is seen to falter now 
As Grant stalks on with terror on his brow ; 
More like a demon of the realms below 
He thunders all his guns upon the foe. 



II. ALLS OL PEACE. ,81 



cxin. 

Backward they fall ; and silken banners fly 
Of Freedom, neath the light of Southern sky." 
" The Wilderness is ours !" the joyful note ; 
Here Treason felt a Nation's lightning stroke. 
But O ! the dead, the soldier unforgot, 
Burried whereon he fell ;,a hallowed spot ! 
'Neath stately trees that spread their branches high 
As if for heroes fitting canopy. 



CXIV. 

Grant presses on to Richmond's iron gate 
And there sits down his subtle foe to wait, 
And waits he long ; no foe to meet him come 
Silenced the cannons crash, the beat of drum. 
Rests the tired soldier from the battle's roar 
Behind his earth-work, red with humaH gore, 
And now on fancie's wing lighter than air 
He sees his kindred kneel in silent prayer, 



82 HALLS OF. PEACE. 



cxv. 

On fav'rit spot in quiet wooded dell 

Where the bright waters laughed and sparkling fell 

From murrn'ring rivulet, like silver clear 

That broke in music on his boyish ear. 

Here now his lovely sister meekly stands 

And clasps in earnest prayer her snowy hands, 

Pleading for him who sleeps on tented field ; 

* ; ?*Iay God my brother from the bullet shield." 



CXVI. 

Leave we these gallant soldiers on the ground 
And listen to the wild and meaning sound 
That swells from stormed Atlanta, in his wrath 
Bold Sherman drives the Traitor's from his path, 
And soon is heard in thunders loud and clear 
That strike like music on the patriot's ear : 
" Atlanta's fallen ! " Secession lifts its head 
Appalled with fear and sick'ning horrors dread. 



HALLS OL PEAC'li. 83 



CXVII. 

The hero waits not ; but suddenly wheels, 
Arid like the Eagle in celestial fields, 
Shakes his dark plumes and proudly soars away ; 
Where Ocean greets in murmurs hoarse the day. 
To gallant Thomas leaves the Traitor Hood 
And all his vile band — a numerous brood — 
He gathers up his children, warriors true, 
And onward to the sea he marches through. 



CXVIII 

One morn srtetched out upon the bloody ground 
A squad of Northmen lay in sleep profound ; 
Deep gashes 'round their throats expressed their doom 
And labelled thus " this fate for all that come." 
On reading which, bold Sherman frowning stared 
And fiercer than the hungry lion glared : 
He spread his wings like vulture in his wrath 
Full sixty miles, and burned a fearful path. 



84 HALLS OF PEACE. 



CXIX. 

Fair fields and splendid palaces that rose 

Prond domes of princes wasting flames enclose. 

The avenging Nemesis her sceptre bore 

And burned a track to Ocean's sandy shore ; 

Leaving a path of desolation wide 

As Lava's down the mountain's hoary side, 

When the hot flames of ^Etna melt their way 

Through verdant fields o'erwhelmed 'neath fi'ry spray. 



cxx. 

Thus stalked he on, like Atilla, and bore 
His standard to old Ocean's sounding shore ; 
Spread high to heaven the banner of the Stars 
That scared away Secession's Cross and Bars. 
Cities flung wide their gates when Sherman came 
Or saw at once their dwellings wrapt in flame ; 
For he could not forget the gallant slain 
Whose throats were cut on hostile Southern plain. 



HALLS OL PEACE. 85 



CXXI. 

All honor to bold Sherman and his boys ! 
"Who scattered wide Secession's gathered toys ; 
And drove the Traitor from his home of ease 
As mountain storm the gentle Southern breeze. 
For him, Historic page forever glows 
With deeds of valor o'er his Country's foes ; 
And brightest garland that a Nation weaves 
"Will crown his brow with never fading leaves. 



CXXIl. 

But there is one who leads the Cavalry van 

Shenandoah's hero, gallant Sheridan ! 

"Who fiercely rode his twenty miles that day (9) 

And rolled the tide of battle far away ; 

And halted columns on their homeward track, 

Sending bold Early to his forest back ; 

Ere the bright sun had reached his "Western goal 

He 6aw his broken ranks without control. 



86 RALLS OF PEACE. 



CXXIII. 

He our Leonidas ! mountain passes keeps (10) 

And lays his trophies at a Nation's feet, 

Drives back the starving hordes that seek supply 

Down the rich valley where the harvests lie. 

Repels the wild guerrilla from his den 

^nd spreads his banners high o'er hill and glen ; 

Wherever Southern Traitor lurks at night ; 

There y-leams his sabre dreaded in the fio-ht. 



NOTES TO BOOK SECOND, 



(1) " O'er the blue wave and Sumpter's rocky ■wall." 

"On Friday April 12th, 1861, at half past four A. M., a day and hour ever to 
be remembered in the History of the American Continent, a battery of heavy 
Columbiads on Sulivan's Hand opened upon the Fort from which floated the 
Stars and Stripes of the Union, and was quickly followed by all the sur- 
rounding forts and batteries." See Kettells History of the Rebellion. 

(2) " Looks Washington with cold and marble eye." 

There is a monument eighty feet in height, in Baltimore, erected to the 
■ memory of Washington, on the top of which stands the Father of his 
Country. 

(3) " And Bethels fight near where the Fortress stands." 

Fortress Monroe like a gem, occupies a commanding position at or near 
the mouth of the James river ; presenting a beautiful appearance from the 
water. 

(4) " 'Tis Sabbath morn ; and now from Par rott gun." 

" The Sabbath morning broke warm and pleasant, and at six o'clock 
Tyler was in front of the Enemy's centre, and soon a thirty pound rifle Par- 
rott gun — the signal agreed on by which he was to announce he was in posi- 
tion — awoke the morning echoes, and the shell bursting in mid air an- 
nounced to the enemy that the decisive hour had come." See Headley's 
History of the Rebellion. 

(5) '• As on the plains of Chaeronea waved." 

The battle of Chaeronea was fought in the month of August, 338 B. C. It 
was here that Grecian liberty was cloven down. Phillip, King of Macedon, 
and Alexander his son fought the uuited forces of the Greeks. See L' Univers' 
Greece Par M. Pouqueville. 

(6) " Morn dawns upon the sea ! and o'er the wave." 

See Headley's description of this memorable sea fight between the Merl- 
mack and Monitor. 

(7) " Lo! Pittsburgh Landing awful and sublime." 

The reader is refered to Headley's and Abbott's Historys of the great 
rebellion for a minute description of this battle. 

(8) " Like Roman hero when barbaric bands." 

See Rollins Ancient History of the battle of Thrasymenus and Cannse. 

(9) " Who fiercely rode his twenty mile that day. 

A beautiful Poem by T. Buchanan Reid, on Sheridans ride on the morn- 
ing of the 19th of October, 1864, as he right about faced the flying thousands 
that sought safety in flight from Earley's attack at dawn of day, under cover 
of a thick fog ; describes the hero of the valley in glowing colors, as he rode 
his black charger over the stony pike from Winchester to the battle field. 

(10) " He, our Leonidas mountain passes keeps." 

Leonidas the Spartan held the mountain defile of Thermopylie, with his 
three hundred, for three days against the Persian army under Xerxes. See 
L' Univers, Greece, Par M. Pouqueville. 



HALLS OF PEACE, 



BOOK THIRD. 

" Duncan is in his grave. 
After life's fitful fever he sleeps well, 
Treason has done his worst : nor steel, nor poison, 
Malice domestic, foreign levy, nothing 
Can touch him further." 

I. 

Hark to that mighty shout ! a Nation's voice 
Bids millions of her sons " rise and rejoice." 
Richmond is ours, and Lee surrenders all 
His valiant Chivalry ; his banners fall 
'Neath heavy blows of Union forces strong, 
They reel and tremble in the cause of wrong ; 
'Till the whole South with one united cry, 
Yield to the North the palm of victory— 

II. 

Where now is he of Afric's cloudless sky ? 
When words like these on wing of lightning fly. 
Unshackled Afric ! slav'ry's bitter years 
Are numbered ; we bid you dry your tears, 
And count no more your hours of weary toil 
Nor drops of blood that fatten Southern soil — 
Your manacles, trample on the burning sands 
And stretch to heaven your free unfettered hands ! 



92 HALLS OF PEACE. 



in. 

There is a land where mighty rivers rtm 
And quivering flash beneath a blazing Sun ; 
Whose waters roll o'er golden sands in pride 
And break in silver waves their foaming tide — 
A land where shadows wrap the Nation round 
Like folds of night that cover sea profound ; 
Though bright her skies above, in beauty bright, 
And bluest curtains set with gems of light. 



VI. 

From this far-seeing Science took her flight 
And left her home in gloom of darkest night ; 
Where Art no longer smiles with outstretched hands 
A.s if to raise her domes on Afric's sands. 
Both from her shores have silent passed away 
As fade the stars at dawn of coming day ; 
Together they have fled ; once more to bring 
To 'Afric's land their gifts on snowy wing. 



HALLS OF PEACE: 93 



Take thou the Cross with Science and with Art 

And plant the first in each her children's heart. 

With Art and Science build around her shores 

The walls of Freedom girt for evermore 

With banners bright ; that coming years may tell 

How the blood shackles from the Afric fell ; 

When Right 'gainst Wrong her burnished falchion drew 

And with oae blow the Hydra -monster slew. 



VI. 

Great Source of light ! to thee we can but give 
Thanks that our Nation's virtues yet survive — 
That o'er the waves our gallant ship of State 
Has reached her port in spite of Treason's hate. 
Spreads her white sails to catch the swelling breeze 
And bounds away once more upon the seas ; 
That Nations recognise our mighty power, 
Unshorn our strength in Treason's brightest hour. 



94 HALLS OF PEACE. 



VII. 

E'en whilst we thus rejoice and praises sing 
Th' assassin's ball is on its rapid wing, (1) 

And Lincoln, stretched upon his bed of death 
Yields to the Southron's rage his fleeting breath — 
Flash o'er the wires the dreadful news that tell 
How our loved President by Treason fell ; 
Whilst sorrow, deep, sincere, our Nation shrouds 
Like night that settles down from leaden clouds. 



VIII. 

Thus Moses when he brought the Hebrews through 
Egyptian woes and mountain waves of blue, 
Gazed on the promised land with joyful eye 
Then turned him 'round and sought a spot to die. 
Heaven had for him reserved a better place, 
In halls majestic, where the Seraph's face 
Shines in the rays that fall from boundless love, 
On bright Elysian fields in realms above. 



HALLS OL PEACE. 95 



IX. 

Lincoln it was who broke the oppressor's rod ! 
The shame of Nations and condemned by God, 
That Freedom gave to ev'ry darkened slave 
From shores Atlantic to Pacific's wave. 
To him our Nation owes its vital power 
And he assailed, at such glorious hour ! 
When all rejoice at Freedom's honored shrine 
With songs that echo far in strains sublime. 



X. 

Such the decree of heaven ! and we must bow 
To unseen hand that all unmans us now. 
We feel to mourn our Nation's untold loss 
- Just at a time when countless hosts rejoice ; 
When Peace spreads wide her gold-bound wings 
And grateful off 'rings to her Altar brings — 
Lo ! the meek goddess from the star-built sky 
Waves her green olive bough of peace on high. 



96 HALLS OF PEACE. 



XL 

O Chivalry! thy days are numbered o'er 

And slain thy sons lie welt'ring in their gore — 

On many a battle field their graves are seen 

And o'er them wild is heard the vulture's scream. 

For them no costly marble greets the eye 

No " well done faithful " strikes the vaulted sky ; 

But darkness with its ever nodding plume 

Bends o'er the Traitor's grave with rayless gloom. 



XII. 

Behold the gladsome change ! friendship once more 
And love rejoice where hatred dwelt before — 
Returning soldier's tread their fields in peace ; 
A Nation's bulwark ! resting now at ease, 
And from Pacific's waves that flashing bound 
Round to the frozen shores of Brunswick's ground ; 
The freeman sleeps ; unterrified at night, 
Unwoke by Treason's rifle blaze of light. 



BALLS 01 PEACE. 97 



XIII. 

His arms, the soldier hangs upon the wall ; 
His fighting days are o'er, and trumpet-call, 
No longer starts him from his dusty bed 
To hear the sabre-clang around his head — 
Tired warrior rest ! thy bloody work is done 
Of four years strife, and lightning-flash of gun, 
Has ceased to blaze ; everliving now 
The victor's laurel wreath adorns thy brow. 



XIV. 

Dream not of those who in the battle fell 

For sweet their sleep, and with them, it is well. 

With thee perchance they struggled side by side 

And braved with thee the charging squadron's tide ; 

Or met the bay'nett's rude and deadly jar 

Herald of blood ! that shines in fields afar ; 

Or blown to atoms by the cannon's breath 

That scattered wide its shrieking globes of death. 



98 HALLS OF PEACE, 



xv. 

From home and friends they lie in quiet sleep ; 
Some in Wilderness 'neath the forest deep, 
Others on broad and shining fields now rest 
And light the turf that presses on their breast. 
And when at night the moon's bright beams 
Fall in long lines on wood, and winding stream, 
Spirits celestial tread their nighty round 
And guard from harm these heroes underground- 



XVI. 

Lo ! fairer fields than wars on either side 
That spread their carpets green as if to hide, 
From searching eye of Av'rice : gems and gold 
That shine on El Dorado's hills of old. 
Unvalued wealth in days of peace is found 
When commerce spreads her sail o'er seas profound, 
And plowman haply turns the fertile soil 
That pays him back for days of hardy toil. 



BALLS OF PEACE. 99 



XVII. 

Peace with her ever cheerful, bounteous hand 
Plants the fair garden in the desert sand, 
And where the forest in its leafy pride 
Hung oat its banners green on ev'ry side, 
The golden harvest bends its heavy ear 
And fills with hope and joy the coming year. . 
In battle hour ; Mars shakes his bloody brand 
And deepest shadows hover o'er the land. 



XVIII. 

But when the dawn of peace begins to rise 
And spread its silver wing amid the skies ; 
Then life at once seems suddenly to glow 
And shed a luster pure on all below. 
The lab'ring peasant weary from his lot 
Seeks his bright home although an humble cot ; 
Where his fond offspring climb a parent's knee 
And chase the flyiug hours with childish glee. 



100 RALLS OF PLAGE. 



XIX. 

And yellow fields that toss their golden locks 
With meadows broad ; the home of num'rous flocks, 
All these are seen in quiet days of peace 
When wars loud thunders o'er a Nation cease — 
'Tis then that happiness and love unite 
Their sacred hands in robes of snowy white '; 
Pledge to each other in the purple grape 
That springs from fields once waste and desolate. 



XX. 

And is this all ? behold yon mountain hight 

Whose top is shining in a blaze of light ; 

Whose base is half a continent ; that shocks 

The gazer on this citadel of rocks. 

Lo ! once again and 'long its granite base 

The Iron Courser on his lightning race (2) 

Thunders along, and drags a hundred cars 

Whose circling wheels the Rocky Mountain jarl 



HALLS 01 PEACE. 101 



XXI. 

Takes his flight onward where Pacific's wave 
Flashes like silver on the strand it laves, 
And neighs terrific as he snuffs the breeze 
That wafts its perfume from the glowing seas. 
From shores Atlantic this wild courser came 
With hoof of steel and nostril all on flame ; 
Tossing his fir'y mane as on he sweeps 
Like tempest ; when it thunders o'er the deep. 



XXII. 

O'er fearful gulfs ; through thickets dark and high 
This monster breaks with loud and piercing cry, 
And seems a demon on his sounding track 
Clothed as he is in flame and garb of black. 
Peace claps her hands rejoicing at the sight ; 
Then points to fields where armies meet in fight ; 
And asks if deeds of all that warring host 
Can with this horse compare % her proudest boast ! 



102 HALLS OF PEACE. 



XXIII. 

Id peace the mountains bow their clouded heads 
And chasms fearful rise above their beds ; 
Whilst o'er the river's deep and rapid stream, 
The engineer has thrown his massy beam, 
Spanning the waves, that Nation's may go o'er 
And visit realms, that bind opposing shore, 
~No longer strangers to each other now ; 
For coronal of peace shines on their brow. 



XXIV. 

But who are they in chambers of the sea? 

That walk beneath its waters wild and free, 

In search of wealth, that lies below the deep 

In coral caverns in the arms of sleep. 

These are the sons of peace ; who boldly came 

To light these palaces with lamps of flame ; 

Who tread in silence Ocean's sandy floor 

Deep down where storms and tempests cease to roar ; 






HALLS OF PEACE. 103 



XXV. 

Or fol'wing Leviathan's foaming path 
Through glowing seas and Ocean's billowy wrath ; 
With spear in hand his scaly hide to pierce 
And haul 'long side their bark the monster tierce. 
Their soul no terrors of the Arctic fright, 
Nor equatorial Sun, nor starlees night — 
Men of the wave and iceberg ; batling free 
'Gainst elements; honored sons of liberty ! 



XXVI. 

Or trace them where the chill and icy Pole 

Shakes its white locks that terrify the soul. 

Behold them in the bleak and marble air 

In search of Franklin ; 'posed by Northern bear ; 

Or sleeping in Esquimaux sowy bed 

With block of ice beneath their throbbing head ; 

Land of perpetual frost! where tempests hoar 

Howl their long night around their cabin door. 



104 HALLS OF PEACE. 



XXVII. 

Or see them stretch the cables lengthened wire 

The track of thought on wing of flaming fire, 

Down 'neath the slip'ry rocks that frowning rise 

Above the deep and emulate the skies — 

Along the coral forest 'neath the wave 

These children lay the thought path of the brave; 

From coast to coast the telegraphic line 

Bends under words that flash from clime to clime. 



XXVIIL 

And now 'neath clouds the Bow of promise glows, 
No charging hosts, nor ranks of hated foes ; 
All is at peace ; along the Ocean's shore 
The howl of war-dog echoes nevermore. 
Frown our grim cannon o'er the reeling wave 
In proud protection of a Nation brave ; 
From ev'ry battlement and fortress high 
Floats the Star-Banner, to the joyous sky. 



HALLS OL PEACE. 105 



XXIX. 

Welcome'! thrice welcome ! Goddess of the bough 
Thy reign of Peace be ever with us now ; 
Thy sceptre wave above our Nation's head 
And sorrow with us cease for heroes dead — 
The Great Republic stands on pillars high 
And lightnings flash from her all watchful eye ; 
Millions of freemen guard her palace gate 
From civil strife and Monarch's deadly hate. 



NOTES TO BOOK THIRD. 



(1) "Th' Assassin's ball is on its rapid wing." 

The Assassination of Lincoln by J. Wilkes Booth, at Fords Theatre, is too 
well known to require comment. The Author can only say that it was with 
a sorrowful heart that he stood beside tha lifeless form of that great and good 
man, as it lay in State in our Nation's Capital. 

(2) " The Iron Courser on his lightning race." 
Referring to the Great Pacific Railroad uniting the two Oceans. 



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